Breakfasts are still mostly simple, quick things that the boys can make, though I'm doing a little more. We were given another meal last week, so we bumped one of our own freezer meals and had so many leftovers that we bumped another. Those will appear on this week's menu.

Mariam is growing well and at her two week check up had already regained the weight lost at birth plus 10 ounces. She is happy and sleeps very well for a newborn. Alexander and Dominic take turns picking her up and carrying her around.


This is Alexander with her last week.

The highlight from last week was the Tender and Crisp Chicken with Sweet Tomatoes. It was so easy to make, I did a little prep and Rich did the rest. He couldn't get over how good it smelled, even raw, and it was absolutely delicious. We doubled the recipe for our family.

I am excited to be healing well enough to get a few things done, with assistance. I even made up some blackberry lime jam with blackberries we had in the freezer. I'm continuing with my plan of sorting and putting in organized bins just about everything we own. All the children's clothing is sorted by sex and size, with the current clothes in their dressers. I'm working on towels, sheets and blankets now, then on to toys, games, puzzles and things like that. It also allows us to get rid of things we don't use and see the gaps in things that we do need, so we can buy them. Living in a smaller house has taught us what we need and don't need.

Our first week of school went pretty well. I was pleased with how much we got done, less so with how long it was taking. We're still working on getting back in the groove with school, though. This week will go better, plus we add our co-op, which should be fun. Also, I have finally taken to posting our menu plans on the fridge for the children to read. This way, they can get a start on breakfast, if necessary, and it cuts down on the what are we eating type questions.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Cherry-Pomegranate Toaster Pastries (yes, they are junk, but they were organic junk), Milk, Coffee
  Dinner: Pizza, Nectarines


• Monday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon Sugar, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Sausage & Cabbage Soup, Soda Bread (the recipe is formatted a little oddly, the raisins are optional, not the buttermilk), Raspberry Tartlets


• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Toast and Almond Butter, Honeydew Melon Slices, Milk, Coffee
  Dinner: Gumbo from the freezer, Rice, Scallions and Hot Pepper Vinegar, Fruit Salad


• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Rice Pudding (with diced pears and dried cranberries), Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Summer Vegetable Strata, Sliced Nectarines


• Thursday
  Breakfast: Bacon and Cheese Muffins, Sliced Pears, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Italian Meatball Sandwiches with Sauteed Peppers and Onions and Provolone Cheese, Creamy Herbed White Beans*, Sliced Apples


• Friday
  Breakfast: Yogurt, Honey and Granola, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Ratatouille and Pasta from the freezer, Garlic Bread, Fruit Salad


• Saturday
  Breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Milk, Coffee
  Dinner: Steak Diane, Herbed Rice Pilaf, Sauteed Kale with Garlic, Baked Apples

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday.

Labels: Family, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen